So I want to make a character that uses a rapier/Saber type weapon and a pistol/hand-crossbow? And I need to know if this is a build in general. I am new to the game and this will be my first character. I don't know if I should make them a fighter or rogue? I am not set on anything else other than the weapon skill set.
So, there aren't really fixed ways to build characters. Do what you like. I understand the trope you're going for, and could be cool.
However, note that both of your ranged options has the ammunition quality, which means that "you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon". In other words, because you are using two weapons, you can't load the weapon. Depending on how your DM reads the rules (I'd allow this), then you could fire one shot, but then your pistol or crossbow would be useless until you load it. Perhaps your DM will be willing to overlook this aspect of the rules and count it as reloading anyway despite your other hand not being free...but you'll want to make sure your DM is in board or you could waste your character.
Of course, if you meant that you'd switch between the two, that might work, but the rules are that you can only take out or put away one weapon each turn without using your Action. So, if you start a round, you could pull out your pistol, fire it, then you're done. Round 2, you could fire it and put it away. Round 3 you can pull out your sword and attack with it. You could walk around with your pistol out, so you can fire it in round 1, put it away, then pull your sword out in round 2 and attack with it, or there are other ways to work it like with feats etc, but just bear in mind that it's not as simple as it sounds to pull off a weapon switch. Again, speak to your DM.
As for which class, it really depends on what aspect you want to lean on. If you just want to do damage or you really want to be awesome at two weapon fighting, then Fighter would be better. If you want to lean into the more pirate vibe or have skills (and you're happy with the doing less damage), then Rogue (possibly Swashbuckler subclass) is better, but it does depend in where you want to go with the character.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I'm still thinking of ideas on what to do and if that doesn't work then I won't bother with it and may just go with a single weapon or 2 melee. I think I want fighter as it's a bit on the simple side.
Though I got to see what everyone else with gonna be. I want my character to round out the team. We already have a druid so I instinctually went with fighter.
Thanks for the info I legit didn't know about the reload function. (Still learning.)
Thanks for the info I legit didn't know about the reload function. (Still learning.)
I would say speak to your DM about it. Personally, I tend to lean towards the Rule of Cool on things like reloading. That is to say, I recognise that players often want characters that feel cool to play, rather than abide by ‘realism’ rules like reloading. As such, I’m happy to ignore the things reloading if it makes for a cool characters at the table, eg. the swashbuckling pirate that uses a sword and pistol, or the vampire hunter that dual-wields hand crossbows. I can offset any balancing issue by the increased damage per round when I build the encounters. Mechanically, as a fighter I would allow you to attack with either sword or pistol attack or with sword and pistol with one being a bonus action attack similar to dual-wielding melee weapons.
So I want to make a character that uses a rapier/Saber type weapon and a pistol/hand-crossbow? And I need to know if this is a build in general. I am new to the game and this will be my first character. I don't know if I should make them a fighter or rogue? I am not set on anything else other than the weapon skill set.
So, there aren't really fixed ways to build characters. Do what you like. I understand the trope you're going for, and could be cool.
However, note that both of your ranged options has the ammunition quality, which means that "you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon". In other words, because you are using two weapons, you can't load the weapon. Depending on how your DM reads the rules (I'd allow this), then you could fire one shot, but then your pistol or crossbow would be useless until you load it. Perhaps your DM will be willing to overlook this aspect of the rules and count it as reloading anyway despite your other hand not being free...but you'll want to make sure your DM is in board or you could waste your character.
Of course, if you meant that you'd switch between the two, that might work, but the rules are that you can only take out or put away one weapon each turn without using your Action. So, if you start a round, you could pull out your pistol, fire it, then you're done. Round 2, you could fire it and put it away. Round 3 you can pull out your sword and attack with it. You could walk around with your pistol out, so you can fire it in round 1, put it away, then pull your sword out in round 2 and attack with it, or there are other ways to work it like with feats etc, but just bear in mind that it's not as simple as it sounds to pull off a weapon switch. Again, speak to your DM.
As for which class, it really depends on what aspect you want to lean on. If you just want to do damage or you really want to be awesome at two weapon fighting, then Fighter would be better. If you want to lean into the more pirate vibe or have skills (and you're happy with the doing less damage), then Rogue (possibly Swashbuckler subclass) is better, but it does depend in where you want to go with the character.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I'm still thinking of ideas on what to do and if that doesn't work then I won't bother with it and may just go with a single weapon or 2 melee. I think I want fighter as it's a bit on the simple side.
Though I got to see what everyone else with gonna be. I want my character to round out the team. We already have a druid so I instinctually went with fighter.
Thanks for the info I legit didn't know about the reload function. (Still learning.)
I would say speak to your DM about it. Personally, I tend to lean towards the Rule of Cool on things like reloading. That is to say, I recognise that players often want characters that feel cool to play, rather than abide by ‘realism’ rules like reloading. As such, I’m happy to ignore the things reloading if it makes for a cool characters at the table, eg. the swashbuckling pirate that uses a sword and pistol, or the vampire hunter that dual-wields hand crossbows. I can offset any balancing issue by the increased damage per round when I build the encounters. Mechanically, as a fighter I would allow you to attack with either sword or pistol attack or with sword and pistol with one being a bonus action attack similar to dual-wielding melee weapons.